Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-11-05
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH IS APPLIED TO A
i peculiar disorder of the nostrils and ad-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent and is productive of very serious
consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic
feature is a morbid discharge from the head,
varying in its nature at different times.
In some there is an almost constant flow
of clear, aCrid fluid, but Oftener all offensive
purulent or muco-purulent, greenish-yellow
matter Is secreted, which aceumulates in
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or expectoration, and often by both
processes. Sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state of rotten
charged and SO fetid is its odor The pa.
tient is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the morbid
matter from the head, and as reeumbent
position naturally favOrs the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are Obliged to lie With
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfort.
In Others tough, viscid and offensive
phlegm collects behind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhering tot the parts with gluish tenac.
ity. Its lodgment embarrasses respiration
and creates a sensation of irritation and un
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to a constant and almost Irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat so as to eject it BY
the mouth. This practice, popularity known
as hawking" is characteristic of catarrh
and proves as embarrassing to the one af-
fected as 1t is disagreeable to those around
him.
Again, the offensive matter hardens and
deposits itself on the membrane in the shape
OF dry. hard cOncretions, which are dis
charged by way of the nostrils or throat in
Jumps or fragments of deep green tint. In
some cases these incrustations accumulate
to such an extent as to form a regular plug
in the nose, which obstruets breathing and
produce serious dlsc3mfort. So firmly do
these incrustations adhere to the point of
attachment that their removal usually re.
quires the most violent efforts not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the mem.
size is expelled, on which there are generally
traces OF blood. but in some cases the cast
presents a tubular appearance, being of exact
shape OF the nasal cavity. This condition Is
may destroy the bony structure of the nose
and produce subsequent flattening of tha.
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with in which
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putrefies, giving rise to a stencil which is
really Overpowering, and sufficiently fetiG
TO poison the atmosphere OF whole room;
aud there are others in which all the secre-
t1Ons OF the membrane are suspended, caus-
ing an unpleasant feeling OF dryness, hea.
and feyer1shness in the head and nose-a
co1sIthn condition popularly known as DRY
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities of the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to distressing sensation OF
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to a feeling of fulness
neat, lrrltatlOn, sore ness or pal in the nos.
trils near the root of the nose, as well as in
the upper part OF the throat, above and be.
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there is
pain Obstinately fixed in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top OF the
head, at the back OF the neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself in the face. OF SO severe character
that 1t is frequently mistaken for neuralgia
The breath Is always tainted, and at times
assumes an exceeding fetid and sickening
odor. In some cases it becomes so revolt.
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on BOTH giving rise to a
disagreeable, stuffy sensation in the head,
parOxysms of sneezing.
The voice is weak, lndistinct and husky,
or OF nasal character, displaying d sort OF
sniiing quality. Oftentimes there is con-
tinuous hoarseness and discordance There
is also sense of irritation in the part,
ana frequent attempts to clear the throat Of
phlegm, producing the sound ''hem," more
or less fOrcibly. In some cases patients
complain of an uncomfortable feeling Of
fullness, or choky sensation in the throat
ana In others of a distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief Of
which they have to swallow frequently
Others; again, speak of constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth or throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or less
ana becomes weak and irritable: the appe-
tite is capricious and nearly always bad in
the morning. The patient is languid, unable
to perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, is nervous depressed in
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agitated and
inclined to drowsiness and Sleep the mem
ory weakened and permanent impairment
seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
ences, and in spite of the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, so
that at last breath of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive of
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
is subject to frequent and repeated colds,
each attack aggravating the disease by CIV
ing . it !, new impulse and 4. involving larger
this manner the difficulty spreads from Or
gan to organ, invading the throat larnyx,
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-
the finer ramifcations of the bronchi. when
but slight impulse is required to send it to
the lungs. Catarrh may and often does,
AFFECT Other organs IN tne DOuy, especially
those containing mucous membrane, such
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys etc.
By the employment of proper inhalatlons
in the form of medicated vaeor (not steam
or spray) we are able to produce Immediate
ana direct action upon the diseased surface
in the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find Its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities, where it is utterly limos.
sible to make fluid applications. BY these
means every case can be cured
Persons desiring treatment by this svS+ar,
of practice can use the remedy at home AZ
well as at our office, and which will cause
no inconvenience or hindrance to business
whatever.
:, have seen so many of these cases oured
that do not consider any case homeless nm.
less the diseGse has advanced to the chest
ana that both lungs are seriously involved
Even then the inhalations aid us in dis.
soiving the mucus and in contracting and
1eaiItg 11eea tne cavities, which nothing else can
10 win the same success. The very hest
'eierences from those already cured.